The Unavoidable: Is the Jesus of the Bible Real?

Introduction

The Content

We have examined:

The composition of the Bible—its accuracy, recognition, and translation

The logic of the Bible—its reasonableness in what it presents

Simply, the Bible provides answers to some of life’s biggest questions:

Where did the universe come from?

Where did humanity come from and why are we unique?

Why is the world broken?

What happens when we die?

What solution is there to death?

Now, we will examine: the Jesus of the Bible.

What do we mean by the ‘Jesus of the Bible’?

Was Jesus a real, historical person?

Did Jesus actually die?

Did Jesus truly rise from the dead?

Was Jesus the Son of God?

You will hard pressed to find serious individuals who are unwilling to concede that Jesus was a real, historical person.

However, the death, resurrection, and deity of Jesus are hotly debated, but crucially important, issues.

In fact, Christianity rises or falls on the singular claim of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We have seen the composition of Scripture is reliable; we have seen the transmission of Scripture is faithful; we have seen the message of Scripture is reasonable (logical); but none of that matters unless the Jesus of the Bible—the resurrected Lord and Christ—is real.

As begin this morning, I want to remind you of the purpose for this series. The purpose of this series is not to convince the skeptic or convert the unbeliever. The purpose of this series is to give the believer an “even greater confidence” that the Bible is the Word of God.

With that in mind, I encourage you to open your Bibles and turn with me to 1 Corinthians 15.

1 Corinthians 15:1–20 NLT

1 Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters, of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. 2 It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place. 3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 5 He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. 6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him. 9 For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church. 10 But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace. 11 So it makes no difference whether I preach or they preach, for we all preach the same message you have already believed. 12 But tell me this—since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead? 13 For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. 15 And we apostles would all be lying about God—for we have said that God raised Christ from the grave. But that can’t be true if there is no resurrection of the dead. 16 And if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. 18 In that case, all who have died believing in Christ are lost! 19 And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world. 20 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.

I. Did Jesus Really Die?

1. Is Sweating Blood Possible?

Luke 22:42–44 NASB95

42 saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” 43 Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.

This is a genuine medical condition (hematidrosis) that is associated with a high degree of psychological stress.

This would have caused His skin to be incredibly fragile and sensitive.

2. What Did Scourging Entail?

Matthew 27:26–29 NASB95

26 Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman cohort around Him. 28 They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. 29 And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”

Roman floggings:

Usually consisted of 39 lashes, but were frequently more depending on those administering the punishment.

The whip was made of braided leather with metal balls and bones woven into them.

The metal balls caused deep bruising and contusions, which would break open with further blows.

The pieces of bone would shred the flesh.

The sufferer’s veins were laid bare, and the very muscles, sinews, and bowls of the victim were open to exposure.

Eusebius, qtd. by Alexander Metherell in an interview with Lee Strobel in The Case for Christ, 261.

Roman floggings themselves could be fatal.

The individual would experience hypovolemic shock:

The heart races to pump blood that isn’t there

The blood pressure drops, causing fainting or collapse

The kidneys stop producing urine to conserve the remaining blood

The individual becomes thirsty as the body strives to replace the lost blood

The crown of thorns likely covered the entire head, not just a band of thorns.

3. Could Jesus Carry the Cross?

John 19:17 NASB95

17 They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha.

Luke 23:26 NASB95

26 When they led Him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, coming in from the country, and placed on him the cross to carry behind Jesus.

Jesus was already experiencing the symptoms of hypovolemic shock.

While Jesus it appears Jesus began by carrying the cross (most likely just the horizontal beam, patibulum), He collapsed and someone else (Simon) was required to carry it to Golgotha.

4. How Did Crucifixion Kill Someone?

Luke 23:44–46 NASB95

44 It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last.

The individual was nailed to the cross:

Wrists were nailed to the crossbeam (patibulum).

Romans used 5-7 inch nails.

The nails would have crushed the median nerve—the largest nerve out of the hand.

Your funny bone is actually a nerve called the ulna nerve.

Imagine a pair of pliers squeezing and crushing that nerve, and you’d get a glimpse of what the pain just the nails caused.

If nailed through the palms, the weight of the body would cause the hand to rip straight through.

The victim (on the patibulum) was hoisted to the vertical beam.

The feet would have been nailed, and a similar type of nerve would be crushed.

Shoulders were dislocated.

Caused by the weight of the body and the stretching of the fixed arms.

Death by asphyxiation.

Asphyxiation—deficiency of oxygen in the body

When stretched on the cross, the diaphragm is locked in the inhale position.

In order to exhale, an individual had to push up on their feet, scraping their mangled back against the wooden cross and tearing the flesh in their feet.

Slow breathing causes a buildup of carbon dioxide in the body, resulting in eventual death.

5. Broken Legs & Blood and Water?

John 19:31–36 NASB95

31 Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first man and of the other who was crucified with Him; 33 but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. 36 For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, “Not a bone of Him shall be broken.”

Legs of crucifixion victims were broken to speed up and ensure death.

Soldiers broke the legs of both criminals, but Jesus was already dead.

They pierced His side with a spear, and blood and water flowed.

The hypovolemic shock would have caused clear fluid to form around the heart and lungs.

This is the “water” that was seen when the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side.

Not only was Jesus certainly dead, He died in one of—if not the most—painful ways possible. The word excruciating (lit “out of the cross”) was invented just to describe the pain that crucifixion inflicted.

The above information is taken from an interview of Dr. Alexander Metherell by Lee Strobel in The Case for Christ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998), 259-67.

II. Is the Tomb Really Empty?

1. Was Joseph of Arimathea a Real Person?

Mark 15:1 NASB95

1 Early in the morning the chief priests with the elders and scribes and the whole Council, immediately held a consultation; and binding Jesus, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate.

The whole Council condemned Jesus, so why would a member of that same council now wish to bury Jesus?

Luke 23:50–51 NASB95

50 And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man 51 (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God;

Luke adds that Joseph had not consented, meaning he was probably not present when the decision was made.

Additionally, the fact that Joseph, a member of the Council, sought to bury Jesus while His own disciples fled in terror is precisely the embarrassing detail that likely makes the account true.

2. Was Jesus Actually Buried?

Luke 23:52–56 NASB95

52 this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain. 54 It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55 Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Many crucifixion victims were not buried.

This could be due to the socio-economic status of the victim (e.g., the two thieves)

However, Roman law allowed for crucifixion victims to be buried and some, especially Jews for religious reasons, were.

3. Was the Tomb Secure?

Matthew 27:62–66 NASB95

62 Now on the next day, the day after the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together with Pilate, 63 and said, “Sir, we remember that when He was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I am to rise again.’ 64 “Therefore, give orders for the grave to be made secure until the third day, otherwise His disciples may come and steal Him away and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go, make it as secure as you know how.” 66 And they went and made the grave secure, and along with the guard they set a seal on the stone.

The tomb was cut into the rock.

A slanted groove cut across the front of the tomb.

A large, circular stone would have been rolled into the groove.

The stone could have been easily rolled into place, but would’ve taken multiple men to roll away.

The Jews placed both guards in front of the tomb, and a seal on the stone (to ensure it was not tampered with).

4. Was the Body Stolen?

Matthew 28:11–15 NASB95

11 Now while they were on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 and said, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ 14 “And if this should come to the governor’s ears, we will win him over and keep you out of trouble.” 15 And they took the money and did as they had been instructed; and this story was widely spread among the Jews, and is to this day.

When the guards told the leaders what happened, they devised a story.

They spread the rumor that the disciples stole the body.

They are accepting the fact that the tomb is empty and trying to find a solution.

The question is not “was the tomb empty?”. The question is “how did the tomb get empty?”

The Romans didn’t steal the body—the wanted Jesus dead.

The sign they placed over declared “This is the king of the Jews”

The Jews didn’t steal the body—they needed Jesus to stay dead.

The disciples didn’t steal the body—why would they?

Occam’s Razor — the simplest explanation is often the correct one.

The simplest explanation is that God raised Jesus from the dead.

Not only does history concede that the tomb is empty, but so do both the followers and opponents of Jesus. The question is why is the tomb empty? The simplest explanation is that God raised Him from the dead.

The above information is taken from an interview of Dr. William Lane Craig by Lee Strobel in The Case for Christ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998), 279-94.

III. Were There Really Eyewitnesses?

1. Can The Witnesses Be Trusted?

John 20:18 NASB95

18 Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and that He had said these things to her.

Women were not considered trustworthy

“Let the words of the Law be burned rather than be delivered to women.”

If the account was fake, one would expect someone like Peter to be mentioned as the first witness.

John 20:26–29 NASB95

26 After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”

Jesus appeared to those who doubted and were skeptical.

1 Corinthians 15:6 NASB95

6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep;

Jesus appeared to more than 500 brethren at once.

Firstly, this is not mass hallucination. It’s not possible.

Secondly, 500 brethren could be just men, and so it is possible this is many more people (e.g., feeding of the 5,000).

Thirdly, “many remain until now.” In other words, Paul is saying, “If you doubt what I am saying, go and verify it for yourself.”

Acts 2:32 NASB95

32 “This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.

Acts 3:15 NASB95

15 but put to death the Prince of life, the one whom God raised from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses.

Acts 10:41 NASB95

41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen beforehand by God, that is, to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.

Acts 13:31 NASB95

31 and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now His witnesses to the people.

2. Why Were the Apostles (& Eyewitnesses) Willing to Die?

Not only were there eyewitnesses, there was an abundance. These were not hidden instances to a select few. These were public and private appearances to a variety of individuals, including very unlikely individuals (e.g., the women & His brothers who doubted), over the course of several days, and even large groups at one time (e.g., more than 500 brethren).

IV. Was the Resurrection the Result of Myth?

1. Did Christians Just Make Up the Resurrection?

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 NASB95

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

In short, no. Not enough time has passed for legends and myths to form. The teaching of the resurrection was very early in Christianity, when it could have been easily verified.

While we see the first teaching in Acts (2, 3, 10, 13), the creed in 1 Corinthians 15 is very early.

1 Corinthians was written in 55 A.D.

Paul had already visited and passed on this creed approx. 51 A.D.

This places the creed with 20 years of the crucifixion.

But Paul had to receive the creed himself.

Saul of Tarsus had hunted Christians until his Damascus road conversion. This likely took place 2 years after the crucifixion of Jesus.

Three years later (Galatians 1:18), Paul visited Jerusalem and met with Peter and James, the brother of Jesus.

Paul was likely vetting the reliability of what he had experienced, and there he received the creedal confession he passed on in 1 Corinthians.

In short, the belief that Jesus rose from the dead was cemented in creed form within 2-8 years of His death, and the truth was preached just months after His death.

The teaching that Jesus rose from the dead comes about virtually immediately, demonstrating it was not the result of years of time separating the event and descending into myth and legend. Instead, they taught “… Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2), which is “18 … foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18.

Conclusion

Jesus was a real man who truly existed. He truly had disciples, taught, and performed signs and wonders. Even today, when the names of many kings, emperors, generals, etc. have been lost to the dustbin of history, the name of a Carpenter from Nazareth is known throughout the world. While people can debate who Jesus was and what He accomplished, it is much harder to debate His life, physical death, and the empty tomb.

The real question is not, “Did Jesus exist?”; history testifies that He walked the earth just like you and I.

The real question is not, “Did Jesus die?”; history testifies that He died an unimaginable death.

The real question is not, “Was the tomb empty?”; history, followers, and opponents alike testify that it is.

The real question is, “Who is this Jesus—who lived, died, was buried, and rose from the dead—and what shall I do with Him?”

Will I scoff and scorn those who preach the resurrection? (Acts 17:32)

Will I continue to further questioning and seeking further evidence? (Acts 17:32)

Will I believe and receive? (Acts 17:34)

John 1:11–12 NASB95

11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

In the end, it’s not about the evidence. It’s about reaching a verdict.